Southwestern Community College has made it official, Taylor Shipley of Creston, who served as interim head coach for the Spartan volleyball program from mid-October through the end of the 2022 volleyball season, will continue with the program as the Spartans’ head volleyball coach.

Shipley joined the Southwestern volleyball coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach in July 2022. Coaching was not new to her, however. Shipley served as head volleyball coach of the Rams Juniors Volleyball Club 13U in Altoona from 2019 to 2021 before moving to Creston. Prior to becoming head coach of the club team, she served as assistant coach from 2012 through 2019. Prior to coaching, Shipley was a student-athlete herself, playing outside hitter and defensive specialist for Southeast Polk High School and USA Club Volleyball teams including Iowa Power Volleyball Alliance and the Rams Juniors Volleyball Club.

Kim Bishop, Southwestern athletic director, said Shipley’s hiring will help provide stability to the Spartan team.

“Taylor probably feels she endured a season-long interview,” said Kim Bishop, Southwestern athletic director. “During that time, she built relationships with our student-athletes and proved herself guiding the team on the court. We look forward to seeing her leadership continue to evolve now that it’s official and she is at the helm of our program.”

With Shipley in place as head coach, the Spartans will look to rebuild following a season of challenges in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC). Southwestern’s team finished 2-25 overall and 0-9 in the conference.

In addition to coaching, Shipley works for State Auto Insurance Company as an auto damages adjuster.